MADRID — Heatwaves sweeping across Europe have pushed temperatures above 40°C in several countries, sparking wildfires and prompting emergency warnings amid increasingly dry and windy conditions.

In Turkey, wildfires broke out in the provinces of Izmir, Bursa, Tekirdag, Sakarya, and Adana as temperatures soared past 40°C.

Firefighting teams on the ground and in the air have been deployed to contain the flames.

A tragic incident occurred in Adana, where a firefighting aircraft crashed while attempting to collect water from a dam. Search and rescue operations are ongoing.

In Greece, residents of Athens sought relief along the coast as the country was hit by its first major heatwave of the year.

Temperatures are expected to climb to 40–41°C in inland areas, peaking on Friday before easing over the weekend.

Portugal and Spain are also preparing for intense heat, with the Portuguese weather service issuing a national hot weather warning. Inland regions face orange-level alerts as forecasts predict highs of up to 44°C.

In Lisbon and Madrid, tourists and locals turned to shade and cold drinks to cope with the soaring temperatures.

Authorities across the region have urged residents and visitors to take precautions, stay hydrated, and avoid any activities that could spark wildfires.

Officials warned that the combination of extreme heat, dry vegetation, and strong winds significantly increases the risk of uncontrolled fires in vulnerable areas. — Agencies